Coating composition for duv filtering, method of forming photoresist pattern using the same and method of fabricating semiconductor device by using the method

ABSTRACT

Provided are a coating composition for deep ultraviolet (DUV) filtering during an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure, the coating composition including about 100 parts by weight of a solvent including a first solvent (the first solvent being an alcoholic solvent); and about 0.05 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coating polymer having a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to 193-nm incident light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/188,670, filed Jul. 22, 2011, which claims priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2010-0071605, filed on Jul. 23, 2010, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Coating Composition for DUVFiltering, Method of Forming Photoresist Pattern Using the Same andMethod of Fabricating Semiconductor Device by Using the Method,” isincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a coating composition for deep ultraviolet (DUV)filtering, a method of forming a photoresist pattern using the same, anda method of fabricating a semiconductor device by using the method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Semiconductor devices have become increasingly more integrated andsmaller in size, which has led to ongoing demand for methods ofprecisely forming fine patterns. In particular, methods of preciselyforming fine patterns that are relatively simple to conduct and are lowcost are desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a coating composition for DUV filtering,method of forming photoresist pattern using the same and method offabricating semiconductor device by using the method.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may berealized by providing a coating composition for deep ultraviolet (DUV)filtering during an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure, which mayinclude: 100 parts by weight of a solvent including a first solvent, thefirst solvent being an alcohol-based solvent, and about 0.05 parts byweight to about 5 parts by weight of a coating polymer having a degreeof absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to 193-nmwavelength incident light. The coating polymer may include a backbonehaving a repeating unit including benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene, abranch bonded to a backbone, the branch having a repeating unitincluding benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene, or a repeating unitincluding a carboxyl group.

The coating polymer may include the branch bonded to a backbone, whereinthe branch further includes a C1-C5 alkylene group between the backboneand the benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene.

The coating polymer may be selected from the group ofpoly(hydroxystyrene), a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivative andhydroxystyrene, novolac resin, and a mixture thereof.

The coating polymer may be a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivativeand hydroxystyrene, the copolymer being a block-copolymer or a randomcopolymer and being represented by Formula 1 below:

<Formula 1>

wherein m and n are integers equal to or greater than 1, where0.4≦m/(m+n)<1; and R₁ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆alkoxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a C₂-C₆ acetal group, aC₂-C₆ acrylate group, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl,or a halogen atom.

The coating polymer may have a degree of absorption of about 40%/μm orgreater with respect to 248-nm incident light. The coating polymer mayhave a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to220-nm incident light.

The first solvent may include a C2-C8 monohydric alcohol. The firstsolvent may include at least one selected from the group of methanol,ethanol, 1-propaneol, isopropaneol, n-propaneol, n-butanol, 2-butanol,tert-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, n-hexanol,cyclohexanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol,2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol,2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2-methyl-3-pentanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol,3-methyl-2-pentanol, 3-methyl-3-pentanol, 4-methyl-1-pentanol,4-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 2,3-dimethyl-3-pentanol,2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol,1-heptanol, 2-heptanol, 3-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-hexanol,2-methyl-3-hexanol, 5-methyl-1-hexanol, 5-methyl-2-hexanol,2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 4-methyl-3-heptanol, 6-methyl-2-heptanol, 1-octanol,2-octanol, 3-octanol, 2-propyl-1-pentanol, 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentanol,2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol, 3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-pentanol, 1-nonanol,2-nonanol, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 1-decanol, 2-decanol, 4-decanol,3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, and 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol.

The solvent may include about 5 parts by weight to about 30 parts byweight of a second solvent, based on 100 parts by weight of the solvent,the second solvent including one selected from the group ofethyleneglycol, propyleneglycol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane,ethyleneglycol monomethylether, ethyleneglycol monoethylether,ethyleneglycol dimethylether, ethyleneglycol diethylether,diethyleneglycol monomethylether, diethyleneglycol monoethylether,diethyleneglycol dimethylether, diethyleneglycol diethylether,diethyleneglycol ethylmethylether, propyleneglycol monomethylether,propyleneglycol monoethylether; ethyleneglycol ethyletheracetate,diethyleneglycol ethyletheracetate, propyleneglycol ethyletheracetate,propyleneglycol monomethyletheracetate; toluene, xylene, acetone,methylethylketone, methylisobutylketone, cyclohexanone,4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, diacetonealcohol, acetic acidmethyl,acetic acidethyl, acetic acidpropyl, acetic acidbutyl,2-hydroxypropionic acid ethyl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid methyl,2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid ethyl, ethoxyacetic acid ethyl,hydroxyacetic acid ethyl, 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid methyl,3-methoxypropionic acid methyl, 3-methoxypropionic acid ethyl,3-ethoxypropionic acid ethyl, 3-ethoxypropionic acid methyl, water, anda mixture thereof.

The coating polymer may have a solubility with respect to the firstsolvent that is about 10 times greater than that of a(meth)acrylate-based resin with respect to the first solvent. Thecoating polymer may have a weight average molecular weight of about2,000 to about 100,000, as measured by gel permeation chromatography(GPC). The coating composition may further include a photo-acidgenerator (PAG). The coating composition may further include asurfactant. The coating polymer may be included in an amount of about0.1 parts by weight to about 3 parts by weight. The coating polymer maybe included in an amount of about 0.3 parts by weight to about 2.5 partsby weight.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may also berealized by providing a method of forming a photoresist pattern, themethod including: forming a first layer of a photoresist composition forextreme ultraviolet (EUV) on a substrate, forming a second layer of acoating composition for deep ultraviolet (DUV) filtering on the firstlayer, exposing the first and second layers with an exposure mask, anddeveloping the first and second layers, wherein the coating compositionfor DUV filtering includes: 100 parts by weight of a solvent including afirst solvent, the first solvent being an alcohol-based solvent, andabout 0.05 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coatingpolymer having a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater withrespect to 193-nm incident light.

The second layer may have a thickness of about 5 nm to about 100 nm. Thecoating polymer may include a backbone having a repeating unit includingbenzene, naphthalene, or anthracene, a branch bonded to a backbone, thebranch having a repeating unit including benzene, naphthalene, oranthracene, or a repeating unit including a carboxyl group. The coatingpolymer may include the branch bonded to a backbone, the branch furtherincluding a C₁-C₅ alkylene group between the backbone and the benzene,naphthalene, or anthracene.

The coating polymer may be selected from the group ofpoly(hydroxystyrene), a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivative andhydroxystyrene, novolac resin, and a mixture thereof. The coatingpolymer may be a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivative andhydroxystyrene, the copolymer being a block-copolymer or a randomcopolymer and being represented by Formula 1 below:

wherein m and n are integers equal to or greater than 1, where0.4≦m/(m+n)<1; and R₁ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆alkoxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a C₂-C₆ acetal group, aC₂-C₆ acrylate group, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl,or a halogen atom.

The first solvent may include a C₂-C₈ monohydric alcohol.

The method may further include post-exposure baking (PEB) between theexposing and the developing of the first and second layers, wherein thePEB is performed at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 200° C.

The photoresist composition for EUV may include a positive photoresist.

Developing of the first and second layers may include developing thefirst and second layers by using a developing solution, wherein thecoating polymer is soluble in the developing solution. Developing thefirst and second layers may include almost completely removing thesecond layer by the developing solution. The developing solution may bean alkali solution.

The method may further include baking the first layer before the formingof the second layer. The method may further include baking the secondlayer before exposing of the first and second layers. The coatingpolymer may be included in an amount of about 0.1 parts by weight toabout 3 parts by weight. The coating polymer may be included in anamount of about 0.3 parts by weight to about 2.5 parts by weight.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may also berealized by providing a method of fabricating a semiconductor deviceincluding forming a photoresist pattern on a semiconductor substrate,and etching a layer underlying the photoresist pattern with thephotoresist pattern as an etch mask, wherein forming the photoresistpattern on the semiconductor substrate includes: forming a first layerof a photoresist composition for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) on thesemiconductor substrate, forming a second layer of a coating compositionfor deep ultraviolet (DUV) filtering on the first layer, the coatingcomposition for DUV filtering including 100 parts by weight of a solventhaving a first solvent that is an alcohol-based solvent, and about 0.05parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coating polymer having adegree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to 193-nmincident light, exposing the first and second layers with an exposuremask, and developing the first and second layers.

The semiconductor substrate may include: a base substrate, and a firstmaterial layer on the base substrate, the first material layer having anetch selectivity with respect to the base substrate, and etching thelayer includes etching the photoresist pattern, using the photoresistpattern as the etch mask.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may also berealized by providing a semiconductor wafer, including: a semiconductorsubstrate, an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresist layer on thesemiconductor substrate, and a deep ultraviolet (DUV)-filtering coatinglayer on the EUV photoresist layer, wherein the DUV-filtering coatinglayer has a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respectto incident light having a wavelength of about 193 nm.

At least one of the above and other features and advantages may also berealized by providing a method of forming a photoresist pattern, themethod including: forming a first layer of a photoresist composition forextreme ultraviolet (EUV) on a substrate, forming a deep ultraviolet(DUV) shield layer on the first layer, exposing the first layer with anexposure mask, and developing the first layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference tothe attached drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1F illustrate cross-sectional views of stages in a method offorming a photoresist pattern, according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate cross-sectional views of stages in a method offabricating a semiconductor device, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a graph of deep ultraviolet (DUV) absorption testresults on DUV-filtering coating films formed using coating compositionsaccording to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied indifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood thatwhen a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer orsubstrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, orintervening layers may also be present. Further, it will be understoodthat when a layer is referred to as being “under” another layer, it canbe directly under, and one or more intervening layers may also bepresent. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer isreferred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layerbetween the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also bepresent. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section,and vice versa, without departing from the teachings of the presentinvention.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, layers,regions, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, layers, regions, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

In order to implement a half pitch resolution of less than 40 nm,lithography using an extremely short-wavelength light source, forexample, an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source having a wavelengthof about 13.5 nm, may be used. However, light emitted from a EUV lightsource may include both in-band light (intended for use in EUVlithography) and partially out-of-band light of 100-400 nm, (notintended for use). The out-of-band light may be a deep ultraviolet (DUV)wavelength of light and may be approximately 1-10% of the total lightintensity.

Coating compositions for DUV filtering, according to embodiments, maypartially or fully exclude such out-of-band light, and thus may improveresolution and variance of a pattern formed by EUV lithography.

In an implementation, the coating composition for DUV filtering mayinclude a solvent and a coating polymer. The coating composition mayinclude about 0.05 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of thecoating polymer with respect to 100 parts by weight of the solvent. Thesolvent may include a first solvent that is an alcohol-based solvent.According to an embodiment, the amount of the coating polymer withrespect to the solvent may be sufficient, e.g. not too small, tofacilitate removal of the solvent in a relatively short time, and toavoid a coating layer of the coating polymer that is too thin. Inaddition, the amount of the coating polymer with respect to the solventmay be sufficient, e.g., not too large, to facilitate achieving auniform thickness of a coated layer. The amount of the coating polymermay be from about 0.1 parts by weight to about 3 parts by weight, and insome embodiments, from about 0.3 parts by weight to about 2.5 parts byweight.

For example, the first solvent, which is an alcohol-based solvent, mayinclude at least one of methanol, ethanol, 1-propaneol, isopropaneol,n-propaneol, n-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol,3-pentanol, n-hexanol, cyclohexanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol,3-methyl-2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol,2-methyl-1-pentanol, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2-methyl-3-pentanol,3-methyl-1-pentanol, 3-methyl-2-pentanol, 3-methyl-3-pentanol,4-methyl-1-pentanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-pentanol,2,3-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol,4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol, 1-heptanol, 2-heptanol,3-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-hexanol, 2-methyl-3-hexanol, 5-methyl-1-hexanol,5-methyl-2-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 4-methyl-3-heptanol,6-methyl-2-heptanol, 1-octanol, 2-octanol, 3-octanol,2-propyl-1-pentanol, 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentanol,2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol, 3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-pentanol, 1-nonanol,2-nonanol, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 1-decanol, 2-decanol, 4-decanol,3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, and 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol. The first solventmay be a C₂-C₈ monohydric alcohol.

The coating polymer may be a polymer that is soluble in a solvent. Forexample, the coating polymer may include (i) a polymer including abackbone having a repeating unit including benzene, naphthalene, oranthracene, (ii) a polymer including a branch bonded to a backbone, thebranch including a repeating unit including benzene, naphthalene, oranthracene, and/or (iii) a polymer having a repeating unit including acarboxyl group. The repeating unit of the branch may further include aC₁-C₅ alkylene group between the backbone and the benzene, naphthalene,or anthracene.

These repeating units may be from about 30 wt % to about 100 wt % of therespective polymers. For example, the repeating units may be from about50 wt % to about 95 wt % of the respective polymers, and in someembodiments, from about 60 wt % to about 90 wt %.

The polymer including a backbone having a repeating unit of benzene maybe a novolac resin.

The polymer having the branch including a repeating unit includingbenzene may be poly(hydroxystyrene) or a polymer of a hydroxystyrenederivative in which hydrogen of the hydroxyl group is substituted withmethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, methoxy,ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, t-butoxy,t-butoxycarbonyloxy, acetal, or t-butylacrylate.

The polymer including the branch having a repeating unit includingnaphthalene or anthracene may be a polymer including any of repeatingunits represented by Formulae 2-5 below, or a polymer analogous to thesepolymers.

The polymer having a repeating unit including a carboxyl group may be apolymer of vinyl-based monomers including carboxyl groups, such aspolyacrylic acid, or polymethacrylic acid.

In some embodiments, the coating polymer may be at least one selectedfrom the group of poly(hydroxystyrene), a copolymer of a hydroxystyrenederivative and hydroxystyrene, novolac resin, and a mixture thereof.

The coating polymer may be a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivativeand hydroxystyrene that are block-copolymerized or randomlycopolymerized to have a structure represented by Formula 1 below.

(wherein m and n are integers of 1 or greater, where 0.4≦m/(m+n)<1; andR¹ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxy group, aC₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a C₂-C₆ acetal group, a C₂-C₆ acrylategroup, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl, or a halogenatom)

In some embodiments, R¹ in Formula 1 may be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy,isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, t-butoxy, t-butoxycarbonyloxy, acetal,or t-butylacrylate.

Although the coating composition may have a random polymer structure,the coating composition, according to embodiments, may be represented byFormula 1 with an indication of the number of repeating units forconvenience of illustration. The coating polymer of Formula 1 mayinclude only one kind of hydroxystyrene derivative. However, in someembodiments the coating polymer may be a copolymer including two or morekinds of hydroxystyrene derivatives. The percentage of hydroxystyrenerepeating units may be about 40% or greater in number, irrespective ofthe kinds of hydroxystyrene derivatives in the copolymer.

The coating polymer may have a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm orgreater, with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 193 nm.In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have a degree of absorptionof about 60%/μm or greater with respect to incident light having awavelength of 193 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may havea degree of absorption of about 65%/μm or greater with respect toincident light having a wavelength of 193 nm.

In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have a degree of absorptionof about 50%/μm or greater with respect to incident light having awavelength of 220 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may havea degree of absorption of about 60%/μm or greater with respect toincident light having a wavelength of 220 nm. In some embodiments, thecoating polymer may have a degree of absorption of about 65%/μm orgreater with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 220 nm.

In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have a degree of absorptionof about 40%/μm or greater with respect to incident light having awavelength of 248 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may havea degree of absorption of about 45%/μm or greater with respect toincident light having a wavelength of 248 nm. In some embodiments, thecoating polymer may have a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm orgreater with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 248 nm.

The term “degree of absorption” as used herein, refers to a percentageof light absorbed by a layer, rather than transmitted through the layer,per unit thickness of the layer with respect to the amount of lightincident on the layer.

The degree of absorption may be quantitated in terms of transmittance.The term “transmittance,” as used herein, refers to a percentage oflight passing through a layer per unit thickness of the layer withrespect to the amount of light incident on the layer. The degree ofabsorption of the coating polymer may be determined from transmittance.For example, the coating polymer may have a transmittance of about50%/μm or less with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 193nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have a transmittance ofabout 40%/μm or less with respect to incident light having a wavelengthof 193 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have atransmittance of about 35%/μm or less with respect to incident lighthaving a wavelength of 193 nm.

In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have a transmittance ofabout 50%/μm or less with respect to incident light having a wavelengthof 248 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymer may have atransmittance of about 45%/μm or less with respect to incident lighthaving a wavelength of 248 nm. In some embodiments, the coating polymermay have a transmittance of about 40%/μm or less with respect toincident light having a wavelength of 248 nm.

The coating polymer may have a weight average molecular weight of about2,000 to about 100,000, as measured by gel permeation chromatography(GPC). The weight average molecular weight of the coating polymer may besufficient, e.g., not too small, to facilitate achieving a compositionof the coating polymer with a high enough viscosity to form a film. Inaddition, the weight average molecular weight of the coating polymer maybe sufficient, e.g., not too large, to facilitate controlling thethickness of a film.

A compound, including a cyclic hydrocarbon such as benzene, naphthalene,or anthracene in a backbone or branch, may more efficiently absorb a DUVwavelength of light of less than 200 nm than a DUV wavelength of lightof 200 nm or greater. It may be inferred from this that a coatingcomposition for DUV filtering may have a higher degree of absorptionwith respect to 194-nm DUV light than to 220-nm or 249-nm DUV light.

The coating polymer may have a polydispersity index (PDI) of about 1.0to about 2. The PDI of the coating polymer may be sufficient, e.g., nottoo high, to facilitate controlling physical characteristics of a filmformed from the coating polymer.

The first solvent may be chosen to ensure that the coating polymer has ahigh solubility. The first solvent may be chosen to ensure that thecoating polymer has a solubility that is about 10 times higher than thatof (meth)acrylate-based resin with respect to the first solvent. The(meth)acrylate-based resin may be an aliphatic (meth)acrylate-basedpolymer. Examples of the (meth)acrylate-based polymer may include oneselected from the group of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA),poly(t-butylmethacrylate), poly(methacrylic acid),poly(norbornylmethacrylate), binary or higher multiple copolymersthereof, and mixtures thereof. However, other (meth)acrylate-basedpolymer may be included in the binary or higher multiple copolymers.

In order to facilitate control of coating characteristics, the coatingcomposition for DUV filtering may include about 5 parts by weight toabout 30 parts by weight of a second solvent with respect to 100 partsby weight of the entire solvent. Coating characteristics of the coatingcomposition for DUV filtering may be dependant on the viscosity thereof,surface characteristics of a target to be coated, and the like. Byadding the second solvent to the first solvent, the viscosity of thecoating composition and the surface characteristics of the target may becontrolled, thereby facilitating control or adjustment of the coatingcharacteristics. The amount of the second solvent may be sufficient,e.g., not too large, to prevent erosion of a photoresist film contactingthe second solvent, and/or inter-mixing of the photoresist film with thesecond solvent.

Examples of the second solvent may include ethyleneglycol,propyleneglycol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyleneglycolmonomethylether, ethyleneglycol monoethylether, ethyleneglycoldimethylether, ethyleneglycol diethylether, diethyleneglycolmonomethylether, diethyleneglycol monoethylether, diethyleneglycoldimethylether, diethyleneglycol diethylether, diethyleneglycolethylmethylether, propyleneglycol monomethylether, propyleneglycolmonoethylether; ethyleneglycol ethyletheracetate, diethyleneglycolethyletheracetate, propyleneglycol ethyletheracetate, propyleneglycolmonomethyletheracetate; toluene, xylene, acetone, methylethylketone,methylisobutylketone, cyclohexanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone,diacetonealcohol, acetic acidmethyl, acetic acidethyl, aceticacidpropyl, acetic acidbutyl, 2-hydroxypropionic acid ethyl,2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid methyl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionicacid ethyl, ethoxyacetic acid ethyl, hydroxyacetic acid ethyl,2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid methyl, 3-methoxypropionic acid methyl,3-methoxypropionic acid ethyl, 3-ethoxypropionic acid ethyl,3-ethoxypropionic acid methyl, water, and a mixture thereof.

The coating composition for DUV filtering may further include an acidgenerator. For example, the acid generator may be a photo-acid generator(PAG). Any suitable acid generators that are known in the art may beused. Examples of suitable acid generators may include onium salts,halogen compounds, nitrobenzyl esters, alkylsulfonates,diazonaphtoquinones, iminosulfonates, disulfones, diazomethanes, andsulfonyloxyketones. In the coating composition for DUV filtering, theamount of the acid generator may be from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %,based on the weight of the coating polymer.

If desired, the coating composition for DUV filtering may furtherinclude a surfactant. In order to have improved coating characteristics.Any suitable surfactants that are known in the art may be used. Forexample, at least one selected from among cationic surfactants, anionicsurfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants may beused. Examples of suitable surfactants include fluorine-basedsurfactants commercially available under various product names,including BM-1000, BM-1100 (available from BM Chemie Co.); MEGAFACF142D, MEGAFAC F172, MEGAFAC F173, MEGAFAC F183 (available fromDainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.); FLUORAD FC-135, FLUORAD FC-170C,FLUORAD FC-430, FLUORAD FC-431 (available from Suminoto 3M); SURFLONS-112, SURFLON S-113, SURFLON S-131, SURFLON S-141, SURFLON S-145(available from Asahi Glass Co., Ltd); SH-28PA, SH-190, SH-193, SZ-6032,SF-8428 (available from Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd); and NBX-15(available from NEOS Co.), and non-fluorine-based surfactantscommercially available under various product names, including POLYFLOWNo. 75 (Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd.). The amount of the surfactant maybe from about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % of the weight of the coatingcomposition.

The coating composition for DUV filtering may be useful for blockingout-of-band light of about 100 nm to about 400 nm, not intended for usein EUV lithography, and in some embodiments, out-of-band of light ofabout 100 nm to about 300 nm.

Hereinafter, methods of forming photoresist patterns on a substrate byusing the coating composition for DUV filtering, according toembodiments of the inventive concept will be described. According to anembodiment, there is provided a method of forming a photoresist patternon a substrate by using the coating composition for DUV filtering. Thesubstrate may be a silicon substrate, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)substrate, a silicon-germanium substrate, or a gallium-arsenidesubstrate. However, the substrate is not limited thereto and a varietyof substrates may be used. For example, a bare wafer, or a substratehaving a structure on an active surface thereof may be used.

According to the current embodiment, the method of forming a photoresistpattern may include: forming a first layer of a photoresist compositionfor EUV on the substrate; baking the first layer; forming a second layerof a coating composition for DUV filtering on the first layer; bakingthe second layer; exposing the first and second layers with an exposuremask; and developing the first and second layers. The coatingcomposition for DUV filtering may include 100 parts by weight of asolvent (including a first solvent that is an alcohol-based solvent),and about 0.5 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coatingpolymer (having a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater withrespect to 193-nm incident light).

Hereinafter, the steps of the method, according to embodiments, will bedescribed in more detail. FIGS. 1A to 1F illustrate cross-sectionalviews of stages in the method of forming a photoresist pattern.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a first layer 110 of a photoresist composition forEUV may be formed on a substrate 190. The acronym “EUV” for extremeultraviolet ray indicates a wavelength of light of about 100 nm or less,e.g., a wavelength of light of about 50 nm or less. In some embodiments,the EUV may be a wavelength of light of about 10 nm to about 20 nm. Insome embodiments, the EUV may be a wavelength of light of about 13.5 nm.

The photoresist composition for EUV may include a photoresistcomposition, including a photoresist compound that may undergo chemicalchanges by EUV irradiation to have different solubilities in adeveloping solution. The photoresist compound may be a(meth)acrylate-based polymer. The (meth)acrylate-based polymer may be analiphatic (meth)acrylate-based polymer. Examples of the(meth)acrylate-based polymer may include one of polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA), poly(t-butylmethacrylate), poly(methacrylic acid),poly(norbornylmethacrylate), (meth)acrylate-based polymers, binary ormultiple copolymers thereof, and mixtures thereof. However, any suitableEUV photoresist polymer that is known in the art may be used as thephotoresist compound. It will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that suitable EUV photoresist compositions are commerciallyavailable.

Suitable photoresist compounds may include positive photoresists andnegative photoresists. In some embodiments, the photoresist compound maybe a positive photoresist. In this regard, the positive photoresist maybe easily removed using an alkali developing solution in a developingprocess.

The photoresist composition for EUV may further include an acidgenerator. In some embodiments, the acid generator may be a photo-acidgenerator (PAG). Any suitable acid generator that is known in the artmay be used. Examples of suitable acid generators may include oniumsalts, halogen compounds, nitrobenzyl esters, alkylsulfonates,diazonaphtoquinones, iminosulfonates, disulfones, diazomethanes, andsulfonyloxyketones. In the photoresist composition for EUV, the amountof the acid generator may be from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, basedon the weight of the photoresist compound.

The first layer 110 may be formed on the substrate 190 by using, in someembodiments, spin coating or roll coating. In some embodiments, beforethe forming of the first layer 110, a surface of the substrate 190 onwhich the first layer 110 is to be formed may be treated with a primermaterial, such as hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) ortrimethylsilyldiethylamine (TMSDEA), to enhance adhesion of the firstlayer 110 to the substrate 190.

Then, the first layer 110 may be soft-baked. The soft baking may beperformed at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 150° C. for about 20seconds to about 5 minutes. The soft baking may fully or partiallyremove a solvent from the first layer 110. However, the soft baking maybe omitted depending on the viscosity and thickness of the first layer110, and the kind of solvent used in the photoresist composition.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a second layer 120 of the coating composition forDUV filtering may be formed on the first layer 110. The coatingcomposition for DUV filtering, may be as described above. As such, arepeated detailed description of the coating composition for DUVfiltering is omitted. Like the first layer 110, the second layer 120 maybe formed on the first layer 110 by using a suitable coating method, forexample, spin coating or roll coating. The substrate 190 may be asemiconductor substrate. In some embodiments, a semiconductor wafer onwhich first and second layers are formed, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, maybe used as the substrate 190. The second layer 120 may be a DUVfiltering layer capable of blocking a DUV wavelength of light. The DUVwavelength of light may be from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

A solvent for the coating composition for DUV filtering that may be usedto form the second layer 120 may be a solvent that is barely able todissolve the first layer 110. In an implementation, the solvent for thecoating composition for DUV filtering may dissolve the coating polymerfor DUV filtering well, and barely dissolves the photoresist compound ofthe first layer 110. For example, the coating composition for DUVfiltering may dissolve the photoresist compound of the first layer 110to a significantly lesser degree than the coating polymer for DUVfiltering.

Then, the second layer 120 may be soft-baked. The soft baking may beperformed at a temperature of about 50° C. to about 150° C. for about 20seconds to about 5 minutes. The soft baking may fully or partiallyremove the solvent from the second layer 120. However, the soft bakingmay be omitted depending on the viscosity and thickness of the secondlayer 120, and the kind of the solvent used in the coating composition(i.e., miscibility with the solvent used to form the first layer 110).

The second layer 120 may have a thickness of about 5 nm to about 100 nmafter the soft baking is complete. If the thickness of the second layer120 is too small, the second layer 120 may not sufficiently absorbout-of-band light of the DUV wavelength. If the thickness of the secondlayer 120 is too large, the second layer 120 may insufficiently transmitin-band light of the EUV wavelength to expose the first layer 110underlying the second layer 120

FIGS. 1C to 1E illustrate changes in the first and second layers 110 and120 when exposed to EUV and DUV light through an exposure mask 130.Referring to FIG. 1C, the first and second layers 110 and 120 may beexposed to light through the exposure mask 130. The exposure light maybe a EUV wavelength of light that is about 100 nm or less, as describedabove, and in particular, about 50 nm or less. In some embodiments theEUV wavelength of light may be from about 10 nm to about 20 nm. In someembodiments, the EUV may be a wavelength of light of about 13.5 nm.

However, the exposure light emitted from a light source (not shown) mayinclude, to some extent, a DUV wavelength of light, in some embodiments,of from about 100 nm to about 300 nm, as illustrated in FIG. 1C. Asdescribed above, the coating polymer for forming the second layer 120may have a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respectto 193-nm wavelength light. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 1D, the DUVwavelength of light may be mostly blocked by the second layer 120, andonly the EUV wavelength of light may reach the first layer 110.

Referring to FIG. 1E, unexposed regions 110 a and 120 a and exposedregions 110 b and 120 b may result in the respective first and secondlayers 110 and 120. An example where the first layer 110 is formed of apositive photoresist is specifically described. However, the descriptionprovided may be applicable to an embodiment in which the first layer 110is formed of a negative photoresist, and thus, a description of such anembodiment will not be specifically provided.

Referring to FIG. 1E, the exposed regions 110 b and 120 b of therespective first and second layers 110 and 120 may be chemicallymodified to be prone to dissolve in a developing solution, which will bedescribed later. Chemical modification, as used herein, refers to aprocess of separating a protection group by the photo-acid generatorthrough exposure to light.

Next, post-exposure baking (PEB) may be performed at a temperature ofabout 50° C. to about 200° C. The PEB may be performed for about 20seconds to about 150 seconds.

Referring to FIG. 1F, the exposed regions 110 b and 120 b may be removedby a developing process. The developing process may remove the exposedregions 110 b and 120 b by developing them in a developing solution. Insome embodiments, the exposed regions 110 b and 120 b may besimultaneously developed using one developing solution. In this regard,the developing solution may be chosen to dissolve the coating polymerforming the second layer 120.

The developing solution may be an alkali solution in which is dissolved,for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate,sodium silitate, sodium metasilicate, ammonia, ethylamine,n-propylamine, diethylamine, di-n-propylamine, triethylamine,methyldiethylamine, dimethylethanolamine, triethanolamine,tetramethylammoniumhydroxide, tetraethylammoniumhydroxide,tetrapropylammoniumhydroxide, tetrabutylammoniumhydroxide, pyrrole,piperidine, choline, 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecene, or1,5-diazabicyclo-[4.3.0]-5-nonane. These developing solutions mayfurther include an appropriate amount of an aqueous organic solventselected from among alcohols including, for example, methanol orethanol, or an appropriate amount of a surfactant. When such an alkalideveloping solution is used, the developing process may be followed byrinsing with deionized (DI) water or a mixture of DI water and asurfactant.

The developing solution may mainly serve to remove the exposed region110 b of the first layer 110. However, the exposed and unexposed regions120 a and 120 b of the second layer 120 may be substantially completelyremoved by the developing solution.

The developing process may result in a photoresist pattern 140, asillustrated in FIG. 1F. In the method according to the currentembodiment, the second layer 120 may facilitate formation of a finerphotoresist pattern by preventing the DUV wavelength from entering thefirst layer 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1D.

According to the embodiments, a method of fabricating semiconductordevices may include: forming a photoresist pattern on a semiconductorsubstrate; and etching a layer underlying the photoresist pattern withthe photoresist pattern as an etch mask. The forming of the photoresistpattern on the semiconductor substrate may include: forming a firstlayer of a photoresist composition for EUV on a semiconductor substrate;forming a second layer of a coating composition for DUV filtering on thefirst layer; exposing the first and second layers with an exposure mask;and developing the first and second layers. In this regard, the coatingcomposition for DUV filtering may include about 100 parts by weight of asolvent (including a first solvent that is an alcohol-based solvent);and about 0.05 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coatingpolymer (having a degree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater withrespect to 193-nm incident light). The amount of the coating polymer maybe from about 0.1 parts by weight to about 3 parts by weight, and insome embodiments, from about 0.3 parts by weight to about 2.5 parts byweight.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method of fabricating a semiconductordevice will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2E. FIGS. 2A to2E illustrate cross-sectional views of stages in a method of fabricatinga semiconductor device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a semiconductor substrate 290, including a basesubstrate 292 and first material layer 294 may be prepared. The basesubstrate 292 may be a silicon substrate, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)substrate, a silicon-germanium substrate, or a gallium-arsenidesubstrate. However, the semiconductor substrate 290 is not limitedthereto and a variety of substrates may be used. For example, a barewafer, or a substrate having a structure on an active surface thereofmay be used.

The first material layer 294 may be a material layer having an etchingselectivity with respect to the base substrate 292. Any suitablematerial layer may be used. In some embodiments, the first materiallayer 294 may be a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, asilicon oxynitride layer, a metal layer, such as a copper, tungsten, oraluminum layer, a metal oxide layer, a metal nitride layer, a metaloxynitride layer, or the like.

Although FIG. 2A illustrates the base substrate 292 having a flatsurface on which the first material layer 294 is formed, the basesubstrate 292 may not necessarily be flat and may have a selectedstructure on the surface.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a first layer 210 and a second layer 220 may beformed on the semiconductor substrate 290, as described in the previousembodiment, which may be followed by a baking process, if desired. Thesame processes as those described above with respect to previousembodiments will not be repeated to avoid redundancy.

Next, the first layer 210 and the second layer 220 may be exposed to anEUV wavelength of light through an exposure mask 230. Like thepreviously described embodiment, an exposure light source that emits theEUV wavelength of light may also emit a DUV wavelength of light to someextent. The DUV wavelength of light may be absorbed by the second layer220, and thereby, be blocked from reaching the first layer 210, as seenin FIG. 2B. Thus, the first layer 210 may have a good exposureresolution.

Referring to FIG. 2C, through exposure to the EUV wavelength of light,unexposed regions 210 a and 220 a and exposed regions 210 b and 220 bmay result in the respective first and second layers 210 and 220. Thecurrent embodiment provides an example of an embodiment in which thefirst layer 210 is formed of a positive photoresist as described abovewith respect to the previous embodiment.

Next, referring to FIG. 2D, the unexposed and exposed regions 210 a and210 b of the first layer 210 and the unexposed and exposed regions 220 aand 220 b of the second layer 220 may be subjected to a developingprocess to obtain a desired photoresist structure 240 having goodresolution and high precision.

Next, referring to FIG. 2E, the first material layer 294 may be etchedusing the photoresist structure 240 as an etch mask to form a desiredstructure 294 a on the base substrate 292. The etching may beanisotropic etching, such as plasma etching. In some embodiments, theetching may be isotropic etching.

The structure 294 a may be any of various types of structures. In someembodiments, the structure 294 a may be a structure to define an activeregion, a line-and-space structure, an insulating layer structureincluding a hole(s), or the like. Those skilled in the art mayunderstand methods of fabricating semiconductor devices by using thesestructures, and thus, a detailed description thereof will not beprovided here.

Embodiments will be described in further detail with reference to thefollowing experiments. These experiments are for illustrative purposesonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the present inventiveconcept.

EXPERIMENTS Film Forming Characteristics Test

Coating compositions for DUV filtering including differentconcentrations of either Novolac resin (having a number-averagedmolecular weight (Mn) of 6,724 and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.71)or polyhydroxystyrene (PHS) resin (having a Mn of 2988 and a PDI of1.72) and different solvents, were used to test film formingcharacteristics (Experiments 1-34). Mixtures of the resins and solventswere stirred for 3 hours and were then filtered by using a 20-nm filter.Mn, Mw, and PDI were measured using a gel permeation chromatograph (GPC)(Waters, HPLC 2414). The column used was Shodex KF-803, andtetrahydrofuran (THF) was used as an eluent. In addition, polystyrenestandard was used.

The filtrates were coated on 300-mm wafers at about 1,000 rpm by using aCLEAN TRACK ACT12 (Tokyo Electron Ltd.) and then were baked at about120° C. or 60 seconds. Thicknesses of the resulting films were measured.The results are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Film forming characteristics test results for compositionsincluding one solvent Experi- Concentration Thickness ment Resin Solvent(%) (nm) 1 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.38 15.2 2 Novolak4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.50 16.5 3 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.66 22.8 4Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol 1.0 31.1 5 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol 1.549.8 6 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.43 18 7 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.5013.6 8 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 0.65 25.4 9 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 1.034.6 10 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 1.5 57.6 11 Novolak 2-methyl-2-pentanol0.50 17 12 Novolak 2-methyl-2-pentanol 1.0 32 13 Novolak2-methyl-2-pentanol 1.5 50 14 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanol 0.50 15 15 PHS2-methyl-2-pentanol 1.0 36 16 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanol 1.5 60 17 Novolakisopropanol 0.50 16.5 18 Novolak isopropanol 1.0 30.8 19 Novolakisopropanol 1.5 48.5 20 PHS isopropanol 0.50 14.4 21 PHS isopropanol 1.035.7 22 PHS isopropanol 1.5 99.1 23 Novolak 3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 0.50 17.1hexanol 24 Novolak 3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 1.0 33.2 hexanol 25 Novolak3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 1.5 51.6 hexanol 26 PHS 3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 0.50 15.1hexanol 27 PHS 3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 1.0 36.4 hexanol 28 PHS3,3,5-trimethyl-1- 1.5 58 hexanol 29 Novolak methanol 0.50 16.4 30Novolak methanol 1.0 30.7 31 Novolak methanol 1.5 48.3 32 PHS methanol0.50 15 33 PHS methanol 1.0 35.5 34 PHS methanol 1.5 57.7

Coating compositions for DUV filtering containing the same kinds ofresins as used in Experiments 1-34, and each composition containing twokinds of solvents (first and second solvents), were used to test filmforming characteristics, in the same manner as described above(Experiments 35-67). The results are shown in Table 2 below. The firstsolvent and the second solvent in each composition were mixed at avolume ratio of 9:1.

TABLE 2 Film forming characteristics test results when each compositionincluded mixed solvents Experiment Resin First Solvent Second SolventConcentration (%) Thickness (nm) 35 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanolmonomethylether 0.38 15.3 36 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether0.5 17 37 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether 1.0 32.3 38Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether 1.5 51.6 39 PHS4-methyl-2-pentanol propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 0.38 13.7 40 PHS4-methyl-2-pentanol propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 0.50 15 41 PHS4-methyl-2-pentanol propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 0.66 21.4 42 PHS4-methyl-2-pentanol propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 1.0 29.7 43 PHS4-methyl-2-pentanol propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 1.5 47.5 44 Novolak2-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether 0.5 16.5 45 Novolak2-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether 1.0 32.2 46 Novolak2-methyl-2-pentanol monomethylether 1.5 51.4 47 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanolpropyleneglycol monomethyl ether 0.50 15.6 48 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanolpropyleneglycol monomethyl ether 1.0 29.9 49 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanolpropyleneglycol monomethyl ether 1.5 48 50 Novolak isopropanol xylene0.5 15.7 51 Novolak isopropanol xylene 1.0 31.8 52 Novolak isopropanolxylene 1.5 50.6 53 PHS isopropanol xylene 0.50 14.9 54 PHS isopropanolxylene 1.0 28.6 55 PHS isopropanol xylene 1.5 47.8 56 Novolak3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 0.5 15.8 57 Novolak3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 1.0 32 58 Novolak3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 1.5 50.7 59 PHS3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 0.50 15 60 PHS3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 1.0 28.8 61 PHS3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol cyclohexanone 1.5 48.1 62 Novolak methanolbutyl acetate 0.5 15.8 63 Novolak methanol butyl acetate 1.0 15.8 64Novolak methanol butyl acetate 1.5 51.2 65 PHS methanol butyl acetate0.50 15.5 66 PHS methanol butyl acetate 1.0 29.1 67 PHS methanol butylacetate 1.5 49.5

Referring to Tables 1 and 2, the coating compositions for DUV filteringaccording to Experiments 1-67 were found to form films havingappropriate thicknesses.

Film Removal Test

Some of the films formed from the coating compositions of Experiments1-67 were tested to determine if they could be removed by differentdeveloping solutions. The films were subjected to puddle development ina CLEAN TRACK ACT12 (available from Tokyo Electron Ltd.) for 60 seconds.Residual thicknesses of the films were measured to determine if therewas any residue left after the development. The results are shown inTable 3 below.

TABLE 3 After-development film residue test results Experiment ResinSolvent Developing Solution Residue 68 Novolak 4-methyl-2-pentanol 2.38%TMAH aqueous solution (a.s.) none 69 PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol 2.38% TMAHa.s. none 70 Novolak 2-methyl-2-pentanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 71 PHS2-methyl-2-pentanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 72 Novolak isopropanol 2.38%TMAH a.s. none 73 PHS isopropanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 74 Novolak3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 75 PHS3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 76 Novolak methanol 2.38%TMAH a.s. none 77 PHS methanol 2.38% TMAH a.s. none 78 Novolak4-methyl-2-pentanol, 2.7% trimethanolamine a.s. none monomethylether 79PHS 4-methyl-2-pentanol, 2.7% trimethanolamine a.s. none propyleneglycolmonomethyl ether 80 Novolak 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2.7% trimethanolaminea.s. none monomethylether 81 PHS 2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2.7%trimethanolamine a.s. none propyleneglycol monomethyl ether 82 Novolakisopropanol, xylene 3.5% KOH a.s. none 83 PHS isopropanol, xylene 3.5%KOH a.s. none 84 Novolak 3,3,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 3.5% KOH a.s. nonecyclohexanone 85 PHS 3,3,5-trimethyl-2-hexanol, 3.5% KOH a.s. nonecyclohexanone 86 Novolak methanol, butyl acetate 3.5% KOH a.s. none 87PHS methanol, butyl acetate 3.5% KOH a.s. none

Referring to Table 3, the films of Experiments 1-67 were found to beeasily removable by these alkali developing solutions.

Miscibility Test Between Photoresist Film and DUV-Filtering Coating Film

Photoresists for EUV were spin-coated on 12-inch silicon wafers thatwere treated with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) at about 120° C. for about60 seconds, at about 1,000 rpm, and were then soft-baked on a hot plateat about 110° C. for about 60 seconds to form photoresist films. Then,initial thicknesses of the photoresist films were measured.

After the original thickness measurements on the photoresist layers, thecoating compositions for DUV filtering prepared above were spin-coatedon the photoresist layers at about 1000 rpm, and were then soft-baked atabout 90° C. for about 60 seconds to form DUV-filtering coating films.Then, thicknesses of the DUV-filtering coating films were measured.

Finally, the resulting structures were subjected to puddle developmentin a CLEAN TRACK ACT12 (available from Tokyo Electron Ltd.) for about 60seconds, and residual thicknesses of the photoresist films weremeasured. The results are shown in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Miscibility test results Initial thickness of DUV-filteringResidual Experiment Photoresist photoresist (nm) coating compositionDeveloping solution thickness (nm) 88 SEVR-139 (ShinEtsu) 102 Novolak2.38% TMAH a.s. 101 89 SEVR-59 (ShinEtsu) 101 Novolak 2.38% TMAH a.s.101 90 SEVR-139 (ShinEtsu) 103 PHS 2.38% TMAH a.s. 103 91 SEVR-59(ShinEtsu) 103 PHS 2.38% TMAH a.s. 102 92 SEP-124 (TOK) 98 Novolak 2.38%TMAH a.s. 98 93 SEP-124 (TOK) 100 PHS 2.38% TMAH a.s. 100 94EUVR-P1123ME (TOK) 100 Novolak 2.38% TMAH a.s. 100 95 EUVR-P1123ME (TOK)101 PHS 2.38% TMAH a.s. 100

Referring to Table 4, the structures of Experiments 88-95 exhibitednearly no difference between the initial and residual thicknesses of thephotoresist films. This result indicates that the solvents in thecoating compositions for DUV filtering were barely mixed with thephotoresist films underlying the DUV-filtering coating films, or did notcause the photoresists to diffuse out.

DUV Absorption Test on DUV-Filtering Coating Film

Novolac resin (SAMPLE 1), PHS resin (SAMPLE 2), and a PHS/poly(t-BOCoxystyrene) random copolymer (SAMPLE 3) represented by Formula 6 werecoated on transparent substrates respectively to form DUV-filteringcoating films. The definitions of m and n in Formula 6 are as providedabove. Then, degrees of absorption of the DUV-filtering coating filmswere measured at a wavelength range of about 200 nm to about 400 nm. Theresults are shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the DUV-filtering coating films were found to block98% or more of the DUV wavelength of light. In FIG. 3, degrees ofabsorption only with respect to the DUV wavelength of light of 200 nm orgreater are shown. However, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that these DUV-filtering coating films would havehigher degrees of absorption at a DUV wavelength of light of less than200 nm, than at 200 nm or greater, due to a strong inclination of cyclichydrocarbons such as benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene to block DUVwavelengths of light of less than 200 nm.

Patterning Test

Photoresists for EUV were spin-coated on 12-inch silicon wafers thatwere treated with HMDS at about 120° C. for 60 seconds, at about 1,000rpm and were then soft-baked at about 120° C. for about 60 seconds toform photoresist films each having a thickness of about 60 nm. Threesamples for each different photoresist for EUV were prepared forcomparison. Two types of coating compositions for DUV filtering werespin-coated on the photoresist films of two of the three samples foreach different photoresist and were then soft-baked at about 90° C. forabout 60 seconds to form DUV-filtering coating films. The remaining onesample was not coated with the coating composition for comparison.

The resulting structures on the silicon wafers were subjected to EUVexposures on an ASML ADT at a NA of 0.25 using conventionalillumination, wherein an EUV mask having a 30-nm line-and-space patternwas used. The exposure process was followed by PEB at about 90° C. forabout 60 seconds, and then, puddle development in a CLEAN TRACK ACT12(available from Tokyo Electron Ltd.) for about 60 seconds. A 2.38%tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) aqueous solution was used as adeveloping solution.

After the development was complete, the resulting patterns were observedusing a Hitachi S-9220 to measure line width roughnesses (LWRs) of thepatterns. The results are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Patterning test results DUV-filtering LWR Experiment Photoresistcoating composition (nm) 96 SEVR-139 (ShinEtsu) Novolak 3.9 97 SEVR-59(ShinEtsu) Novolak 4.2 98 SEVR-139 (ShinEtsu) PHS 4.4 99 SEVR-59(ShinEtsu) PHS 4.1 100 SEP-124 (TOK) Novolak 3.5 101 SEP-124 (TOK) PHS3.8 102 EUVR-P1123ME (TOK) Novolak 3.6 103 EUVR-P1123ME (TOK) PHS 4.1104 SEVR-139 (ShinEtsu) — 5.7 105 SEVR-59 (ShinEtsu) — 5.6 106 SEP-124(TOK) — 6.1 107 EUVR-P1123ME (TOK) — 5.4

Referring to Table 5, those samples coated with the coating compositionsfor DUV filtering (Experiments 96-103) were found to have more precise30-nm line-and-space patterns, as compared to those samples coated onlywith the photoresists for EUV (Experiments 104-107), indicating thatusing the coating compositions for DUV filtering according to theembodiments may ensure more precise pattern formation.

Embodiments may relate to a coating composition for DUV filtering thatfacilitates precise formation of a fine pattern, a method of forming aphotoresist pattern by using the coating composition, and a method offabricating a semiconductor device by using the coating composition orthe method.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In someinstances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art asof the filing of the present application, features, characteristics,and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment maybe used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/orelements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwisespecifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those ofskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coating composition for deep ultraviolet (DUV)filtering during an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) exposure, the compositioncomprising: 100 parts by weight of a solvent including a first solvent,the first solvent being an alcohol-based solvent; and about 0.05 partsby weight to about 5 parts by weight of a coating polymer having adegree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to DUVincident light.
 2. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the coating polymer includes: a backbone having a repeating unitincluding benzene, naphthalene, or anthracene; a branch bonded to abackbone, the branch having a repeating unit including benzene,naphthalene, or anthracene; or a repeating unit including a carboxylgroup.
 3. The coating composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein thecoating polymer includes the branch bonded to a backbone, the branchfurther including a C1-C5 alkylene group between the backbone and thebenzene, naphthalene, or anthracene.
 4. The coating composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the coating polymer is selected from thegroup of poly(hydroxystyrene), a copolymer of a hydroxystyrenederivative and hydroxystyrene, novolac resin, and a mixture thereof. 5.The coating composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coatingpolymer is a copolymer of a hydroxystyrene derivative andhydroxystyrene, the copolymer being a block-copolymer or a randomcopolymer and being represented by Formula 1 below:

wherein m and n are integers equal to or greater than 1, where0.4≦m/(m+n)<1; and R₁ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ alkyl group, a C₁-C₆alkoxy group, a C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyloxy group, a C₂-C₆ acetal group, aC₂-C₆ acrylate group, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, tribromomethyl,or a halogen atom.
 6. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the coating polymer has a degree of absorption of about 40%/μmor greater with respect to 248-nm incident light.
 7. The coatingcomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating polymer has adegree of absorption of about 50%/μm or greater with respect to 220-nmincident light.
 8. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first solvent includes a C2-C8 monohydric alcohol.
 9. Thecoating composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first solventincludes at least one selected from the group of methanol, ethanol,1-propaneol, isopropaneol, n-propaneol, n-butanol, 2-butanol,tert-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, n-hexanol,cyclohexanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol,2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol,2-methyl-2-pentanol, 2-methyl-3-pentanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol,3-methyl-2-pentanol, 3-methyl-3-pentanol, 4-methyl-1-pentanol,4-methyl-2-pentanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 2,3-dimethyl-3-pentanol,2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanol, 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol,1-heptanol, 2-heptanol, 3-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-hexanol,2-methyl-3-hexanol, 5-methyl-1-hexanol, 5-methyl-2-hexanol,2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 4-methyl-3-heptanol, 6-methyl-2-heptanol, 1-octanol,2-octanol, 3-octanol, 2-propyl-1-pentanol, 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentanol,2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol, 3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyl-pentanol, 1-nonanol,2-nonanol, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 1-decanol, 2-decanol, 4-decanol,3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol, and 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol.
 10. The coatingcomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solvent includes about 5parts by weight to about 30 parts by weight of a second solvent, basedon 100 parts by weight of the solvent, the second solvent including oneselected from the group of ethyleneglycol, propyleneglycol,tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyleneglycol monomethylether, ethyleneglycolmonoethylether, ethyleneglycol dimethylether, ethyleneglycoldiethylether, diethyleneglycol monomethylether, diethyleneglycolmonoethylether, diethyleneglycol dimethylether, diethyleneglycoldiethylether, diethyleneglycol ethylmethylether, propyleneglycolmonomethylether, propyleneglycol monoethylether; ethyleneglycolethyletheracetate, diethyleneglycol ethyletheracetate, propyleneglycolethyletheracetate, propyleneglycol monomethyletheracetate; toluene,xylene, acetone, methylethylketone, methylisobutylketone, cyclohexanone,4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, diacetonealcohol, acetic acidmethyl,acetic acidethyl, acetic acidpropyl, acetic acidbutyl,2-hydroxypropionic acid ethyl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid methyl,2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid ethyl, ethoxyacetic acid ethyl,hydroxyacetic acid ethyl, 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid methyl,3-methoxypropionic acid methyl, 3-methoxypropionic acid ethyl,3-ethoxypropionic acid ethyl, 3-ethoxypropionic acid methyl, water, anda mixture thereof.
 11. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the coating polymer has a solubility with respect to the firstsolvent that is about 10 times greater than that of a(meth)acrylate-based resin with respect to the first solvent.
 12. Thecoating composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating polymerhas a weight average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 100,000,as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
 13. The coatingcomposition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a photo-acidgenerator (PAG).
 14. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a surfactant.
 15. The coating composition as claimedin claim 1, wherein the coating polymer is included in an amount ofabout 0.1 parts by weight to about 3 parts by weight.
 16. The coatingcomposition as claimed in claim 15, wherein the coating polymer isincluded in an amount of about 0.3 parts by weight to about 2.5 parts byweight.
 17. The coating composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedegree of absorption is measured with respect to 193-nm wavelengthincident light.